…Amupitan Vows 2027 Will Be Nigeria’s Finest Polls
By Jeremy Fregene
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has declared that the 2027 general elections will be the best conducted in Nigeria’s history, citing far-reaching reforms introduced under the Electoral Act 2026.
Speaking at a Citizens’ Town Hall Meeting themed “What It Means for Your Vote and the 2027 Elections,” organised by the Civil Society Network on Electoral Integrity, Amupitan described the new law as a transformative framework designed to rebuild public trust, deepen transparency, and reinforce democratic legitimacy.
The Electoral Act 2026, signed into law on February 18 after a three-year consultative process involving the National Assembly, civil society groups, and INEC, introduces strengthened provisions for the electronic transmission of results and other procedural safeguards. Amupitan commended advocacy organisations for promoting voter awareness, stressing that civic education remains central to democratic consolidation.
“Democracy — and elections in particular — is the lifeblood of democracy,” he said, invoking Abraham Lincoln’s famous assertion that “the ballot is more powerful than the bullet,” while cautioning that voter ignorance constitutes a risk to national stability.
Addressing concerns arising from the technical hitches that trailed the 2023 presidential election result transmission, the INEC chairman assured Nigerians that lessons had been learned and corrective measures implemented.
“Glitches have been eliminated. By God’s grace, they will not surface again,” he stated, explaining that while electronic devices were tested during off-cycle governorship polls, they were not subjected to the level of nationwide stress-testing required for a presidential election.
He disclosed that comprehensive system-wide testing will precede the 2027 polls to guarantee seamless inter-state transmission of results.
Amupitan identified the enhanced legal backing for electronic result transmission as one of the most consequential provisions of the new Act, noting that INEC pushed for mandatory transmission during legislative deliberations. However, he cautioned against expectations of instantaneous uploads in all circumstances, pointing to logistical and network constraints encountered even within the Federal Capital Territory.
Recounting delays in transmitting results from Kabir Ward in Kuje Area Council due to connectivity challenges and difficult terrain, he likened the process to mobile banking transactions, where initiation may be immediate but confirmation can be delayed by network limitations.
Despite such challenges, he insisted that transmission infrastructure exists and will be significantly strengthened ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emphasising that logistics remain the backbone of credible polls, Amupitan outlined three benchmarks for success: timely commencement of voting, peaceful conduct, and transparent management of results. While acknowledging minor logistical lapses during recent FCT area council elections, he said remedial steps are already in progress.
“What Nigerians desire is a perfect election. We will strive to deliver the best possible, even if perfection remains a work in progress,” he said.
On Nigeria’s international standing, the INEC chairman stressed the direct link between credible elections, economic development, and investor confidence.
“There is a correlation between credible elections and development. When people trust INEC and its leaders, the country moves forward,” he added.
Reaffirming his commitment, Amupitan declared that the Electoral Act 2026 provides a more robust legal framework capable of meeting the expectations of an increasingly informed and demanding electorate.
“By the grace of God, the 2027 election will be the best Nigerians have ever had,” he said.